Polk County Criminal Court Records
Polk County criminal court records are filed with the 9th Judicial District Court Administration office in Crookston, covering all felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases heard in the county. The free Minnesota Court Records Online system provides public access to case data at any hour, and the Crookston courthouse at 223 E 7th Street is open Monday through Friday for in-person requests and record lookups.
Polk County Overview
Polk County District Court
The Polk County District Court is in Crookston and is one of the busier courthouses in the 9th Judicial District. Polk County handles a larger caseload than most rural 9th District counties, partly because Crookston draws cases from the surrounding area as a regional hub. Court Administration manages all criminal filings, hearing schedules, and public record access. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (218) 281-5355 to reach the court before your visit.
| Court | Polk County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 223 E 7th St, Crookston, MN 56716 |
| Phone | (218) 281-5355 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 9th Judicial District |
The Polk County court page on mncourts.gov has current contact information, court calendar links, and directions to the Crookston courthouse. Check it before visiting to confirm the office is open and see any holiday closures.
The image below is from the Polk County district court listing on the Minnesota Courts website, which is the official directory for court contacts and public access tools across all 87 counties.
That page links to MCRO and the hearing calendar for the Crookston courthouse. Use it to navigate directly to Polk County court services.
Free Online Records Search
The main tool for free public access to Polk County criminal court records is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). No account is needed. The system runs 24 hours a day and covers all 87 Minnesota counties from one search interface. Search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show charges filed, hearing dates, case status, and the final outcome. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download at no charge.
The daily court calendar is posted at 7:00 AM each morning and updated hourly. Polk County has a larger caseload than many surrounding 9th District counties, which means more results may come up in a name search. If you get multiple records for similar names, narrowing by date of birth helps. The eReminder service lets you set up automated alerts for upcoming hearings on cases you are tracking. Public access terminals are available at the Crookston courthouse during business hours at no cost.
Cases that ended without a conviction cannot be found by name on MCRO. You will need the case number for those records. Call Court Administration at (218) 281-5355 for help locating a specific case number. Older records predating July 2015 are available by contacting the court directly.
Note: Non-conviction cases are searchable by case number only on MCRO. Name searches will not return dismissed or acquitted cases. Court Administration can help you find the number.
Copies and Record Requests
Polk County criminal court records are public documents. Since July 1, 2023, uncertified copies are free statewide. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Request copies through the Minnesota Courts copy request portal, in person at the Crookston courthouse, or by mail to Court Administration at 223 E 7th St, Crookston, MN 56716.
Provide the defendant's full name and case number when you submit a request. Missing either piece of information slows processing. In-person requests are usually handled the same day when staff are available. Mailed requests take additional time, and older archived records may require extra retrieval. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and signature, which makes them valid for legal and government purposes. Uncertified copies work fine for personal research. Files restricted by court order or sealed by the court are not available regardless of how the request is submitted.
Court filing fees and the full fee schedule are available at mncourts.gov. Fee waivers based on income are available for civil court costs. Ask Court Administration in Crookston for the waiver form.
Polk County Sheriff
The Polk County Sheriff's Office covers law enforcement across the county and runs the county jail. After an arrest, the County Attorney reviews the case and decides whether to file formal charges with the court. Until charges are filed, a recent arrest will not appear in MCRO. Contact the Sheriff's Office directly for current custody status and recent arrest information that may not yet be in the court system.
The Polk County government website has contact information for all county departments, including the Sheriff, County Attorney, and Court Administration. Crookston serves as a regional center for court services in northwestern Minnesota. The courthouse handles a broader range of matters than many smaller 9th District counties, and legal resources in Crookston are more extensive than in some of the smaller rural counties nearby.
BCA Criminal History Database
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension operates a statewide criminal history database covering Polk County and every other county in the state. BCA searches return felony and gross misdemeanor conviction data going back 15 years. Each search costs $8 through the BCA criminal history search portal. You need the full legal name and date of birth of the subject to run a search.
BCA results only reflect convictions that courts and law enforcement agencies reported to the state. They do not include dismissed charges, acquittals, or cases resolved without a conviction. MCRO shows the complete court case record, including all of those outcomes. Using both tools together gives the most thorough background picture for Polk County cases. Self-searches are available through the BCA portal for individuals reviewing their own records before a job application or housing search.
Expungement in Polk County
Minnesota's expungement law at Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A lets people petition to seal criminal records. Some cases qualify for automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. Section 609A.015 without a court filing, meaning the record is sealed without any action from you. Check the automatic expungement provisions first before starting the petition process.
If a petition is needed, file it with Polk County District Court Administration in Crookston. A filing fee applies unless an income-based waiver covers it. Eligibility and waiting periods depend on offense type. Cases without a conviction may qualify right away. Felony convictions require a longer waiting period, typically several years after the sentence ends. When the court grants a petition, the record is sealed from public view in MCRO and in state agency databases. Self-help forms and step-by-step instructions are available on the Minnesota Courts expungement page for those who want to file without a lawyer.
Note: Expungement seals state and court records. Private background check services may hold separate copies and need to be contacted directly for removal after expungement is granted.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act at Minn. Stat. Chapter 13 sets the rules for public access to government records across the state. Criminal court records in Polk County are generally public data. Anyone can view case information without needing to provide a reason. Exceptions apply to sealed files, victim identifying data, juvenile records, and information covered by a court order. Court staff in Crookston apply these rules consistently to every request they receive.
If a record is restricted, staff will explain which exception applies and why access is denied. Redacted versions of some documents may be available when only part of a file is protected. Questions about data practices rights in Minnesota can be directed to the Information Policy Analysis Division at the Minnesota Department of Administration, which provides guidance and handles disputes over access to public records statewide.
Nearby Counties
Polk County borders Norman, Red Lake, Clearwater, and Mahnomen counties, all served by the 9th Judicial District.